SpaceX's spacecraft, including Turkey's first space traveler Alper Gezeravcı, was successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 16.49 US local time (00.49 Turkish lira).
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş, Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş, Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO) Chairman İbrahim Burkay and Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş attended the event held at Gökmen Space Aviation Training Center (GUHEM) in Bursa to witness the historical moment. AK Party Provincial Chairman Davut Gürkan also attended.
Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç and his entourage, who witnessed the historical moment, watched the launch and successful progress of the spacecraft on the giant screen installed.
In his statement to journalists here, Minister Tunç said that he watched Alper Gezeravcı, who went on Turkey's space journey at the beginning of the Turkish Century, with the citizens in Bursa. Stating that it was a great moment for Turkey, Tunç said, “We will never forget this day. We all see together how Turkey is now progressing in science, space technology, industry and other fields. I hope the Turkish Century will also be the century of science. "This century will rise on the shoulders of our children and youth," he said.
Bursa Governor Mahmut Demirtaş stated that they are very proud of Turkey and said, “If God allows, our brother will join us again in 14 days and tell us what he experienced there. Our President has made great contributions in helping us reach this point today. We express our gratitude to our ministers, especially our President, and our nation. We need to trust ourselves. We have achieved something great. "I wholeheartedly believe that our country will do better things from now on," he said.
Stating that he experienced one of the most special moments in his life, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş said, “Witnessing this moment with the Alpers of the future is one of the most special moments in my life. The future of our country is very good, with God's permission. Guys, believe in yourself, work hard, you will do great things. The future of the country will be much brighter with you. Today, our brother Alper was a first, but you will also be an Alper in the future. We believe this wholeheartedly. "I would like to thank everyone who witnessed this beautiful moment from the bottom of my heart," he said.
İbrahim Burkay, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTSO), said, “The space mission, space mission and vision put forward by Turkey in its 100th anniversary have become our biggest road map. Thank God, we sent our first astronaut this evening. At this hour, our young people here actually show the Turkish people's interest in science and technology. Many scientists will emerge from the young people here. Hopefully this is our first step, but we are a hard-working nation. "We will close the gap in a very short time, good luck again," he said.
Meanwhile, GUHEM's comments about Gezeravcı's space travel Youtube More than 300 thousand people watched his live broadcast on .
